THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 145 



In those favoured localities, in which the Wood- 

 cock is resident, birds may be found in every month ; 

 but the sportsman's supply depends chiefly on the 

 large flights of Woodcock which arrive in October 

 and November, resting a few weeks and then passing 

 south, until at Christmas but few are to be found. 

 The return passage occurs in March. 



The assiduity with which Woodcock haunt 

 certain favourite " runners " is noteworthy ; if the 

 owner be shot, a successor is almost certain to claim 

 his possession. 



Woodcock are rarely pied. A bird with white 

 wing quills was shot some years ago near Edenhall, 

 where it is preserved. 



A nestling Woodcock in down, obtained on June 

 13th, is buff" in ground-colour, richly mottled with 

 bright reddish brown, which is darkest upon the 

 crown, where it forms a triangular patch. A dark 

 line extends from the base of the lower mandible to 

 the eye. Another dark band extends from the 

 small of the back to the fringe of the tail. Irides, 

 dark hazel. Bill and feet, grey. 



The following is an extract from Hutchinson's 

 History of Cumberland, relating to Muncaster : — 



" We were informed that formerly so great 

 abundance of Woodcock frequented the woods in 

 this manor, that, by a special custom, the tenants 

 were obliged to sell them to the lord for one penny 

 each ; they were taken by springs and traps ; but 

 since the country was stripped of wood, they make 

 a short stay here in their passage, and are of late 

 years become very scarce." P. 567. 



